Lash adjustment between rollers and a cam plate of a barrel engine

Abstract

A lash adjustment system for a roller is provided which includes a cam plate surface and a frustoconically shaped roller in mechanical communication with the surface. Means for moving the roller relative to the surface are included to urge the roller inwardly with respect to the cam plate in order to reduce lash.

1 . A lash adjustment system for a roller in a barrel engine of the type having a plurality of combustion chambers each having a piston movable along a piston axis, the lash adjustment system comprising:
 a cam plate having a track portion for a roller, the track portion having a first surface, a second surface, a thickness between the first and second surface, an inner side, an outer side, and a width between the inner side and the outer side;   a first roller in mechanical communication with the first surface of a cam plate track portion to allow rotational engagement of a roller surface with the first surface of the cam plate track portion, the first roller having a rotational axis and a frustoconical shape defining a base portion of the first roller having a larger cross-sectional diameter compared to a top portion of the first roller; and   a force applying mechanism in mechanical communication with the first roller, the mechanism operable to move the first roller along the rotational axis so as to reduce lash between the first roller and the first surface of the cam plate.   
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the thickness of the cam plate track portion is substantially uniform along the width between the inner side and outer side. 
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the thickness of the cam plate track portion proximal to the outer side is smaller than the thickness of the cam plate track portion proximal to the inner side. 
   
   
       4 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a second roller in mechanical communication with the second surface of a cam plate track portion to allow rotational engagement of a roller surface of the second roller with the second surface of the cam plate track portion, the second roller having a rotational axis and a frustoconical shape defining a base portion of the second roller having a larger cross-sectional diameter compared to a top portion of the second roller.   
   
   
       5 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the rotational axis of the first roller is substantially parallel to the rotational axis of the second roller. 
   
   
       6 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the rotational axis of the first roller is substantially parallel to the rotational axis of the second roller. 
   
   
       7 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a support structure for housing the first roller, the force applying mechanism being disposed on the support structure such that force is applied to the first roller. 
   
   
       8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the force applying mechanism is a hydraulic actuator. 
   
   
       9 . A method for reduction of lash between a roller and a surface in a barrel engine of the type having a plurality of combustion chambers each having a piston movable along a piston axis, the method comprising:
 providing a system comprising a cam plate having a track portion for a roller, the track portion having a first surface, a second surface, a thickness between the first and second surface, an inner side, an outer side, and a width between the inner side and the outer side;   providing a first roller in mechanical communication with the first surface of a cam plate track portion to allow rotational engagement of a roller surface with the first surface of the cam plate track portion, the first roller having a rotational axis and a frustoconical shape; and   providing a force applying mechanism in mechanical communication with the first roller, wherein lash is present between the first roller and the first surface of the cam plate; and   applying force to a first roller with the force applying mechanism so as to move the first roller along the rotational axis, such that lash between the first roller and the first surface of the cam plate is reduced.   
   
   
       10 . A lash adjustment system for a roller in a barrel engine of the type having a plurality of combustion chambers each having a piston movable along a piston axis, the lash adjustment system comprising:
 a cam plate having a track portion for a roller, the track portion having a first surface, a second surface, a thickness between the first and second surface, an inner side, an outer side, and a width between the inner side and the outer side;   a first roller supported on a shaft for rotation about a rotational axis, the first roller being in mechanical communication with the first surface of a cam plate track portion to allow rotational engagement of a roller surface with the first surface of the cam plate track portion, the first roller having a frustoconical shape defining a base portion of the first roller having a larger cross-sectional diameter compared to a top portion of the first roller; and   a force applying mechanism in mechanical communication with the first roller, the mechanism operable to move the first roller along the rotational axis so as to reduce lash between the first roller and the first surface of the cam plate.